4WDs almost bite dust

Dashcam captures near head-on disaster

A CHILLING video detailing a head-on near miss on the Peninsula Development Rd has exposed the dangers of dirt road driving and prompted a stern message from remote police.

Motorist Dave Robson posted dashcam footage showing a journey of a lifetime which nearly ended in disaster at the weekend. Out of the blue, in a cloud of dust, a 4WD overtakes his vehicle the moment an oncoming white dual cab ute appears.

“Yesterday on the PDR we encountered this lunatic. He nearly took out two of our party of six. Please take note and take your time,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Antoni Lesic of the Weipa Police was aware of the incident but said it was not reported.

He said dust was possible a factor in the near miss and flagged it as a major hazard on Cape York roads at this time of year.

“One of the most significant issues on the PDR on the unsealed sections is dust. It reduces visibility for drivers to be able to see even short distances ahead,” he said.

“There is no doubt it is a contributing factor to near misses or even incidents like we had last week.”

Cook MP Cynthia Lui is calling for a fast tracking of Peninsula Development Rd upgrades following a recent spate of remote traffic-related deaths.

“(Leichhardt PM Warren Entsch) needs to back the Palaszczuk government’s calls for the Morrison government’s current 10-year funding package to be condensed into a fiveyear package, so we can start those works from 2020 and accelerate sealing,” she said. Watch the chillling video of the incident on our website www.cairnspost.com.au